CUBA, 12-DAY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Itinerary
Day 1: LONDON – HAVANA
Check-in at London Gatwick for Virgin direct flight to Havana DEP/TBA – ARR/TBA (HAV). Upon arrival and clearing immigration, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Saratoga in Havana for a 3-Night Stay in Deluxe Patio room on B/B basis. Overnight at Hotel Saratoga.
Day 2: HAVANA
After Breakfast – hotel pick up for Walking Tour with visits to Almacenes San José, market, the biggest craft and artisan market of Havana, Old Havana, Plaza de Armas with Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, El Templete, Castillo del la Real Fuerza, Cathedral Square, Plaza San Francisco de Asis and Plaza Vieja.
Lunchat the private restaurant paladar Doña Eutimia close to the Cathedral Square. Afternoon transfer to Club Havana, the former Biltmore Yacht & Country club from the 50s where diplomats would spend their free time. Return to hotel after Sun & Beach.
In the evening transfer to the Hotel Nacional for dinner at the Cabaret Parisien ‘Cubano Cubano’ show. Return transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel Saratoga (BLD)
Day 3: HAVANA.
After Breakfast – hotel pick up for the other side of the bay with panoramic views of Havana from the Christ statue and a visit of the Fortress San Carlos de la Caban and the museum. Return to Habana Vieja by the ferry, called “lanchita”.
Lunch then onto old city centre to enjoy a Daiquiri at the bar “El Floridita” and a Mojito Cocktail in the “Bodeguita del Medio”, made famous by Hemingway. Later that afternoon, cigar and coffee tasting at the Conde de Villanueva hotel.
Evening at leisure.Overnight at Hotel Saratoga (B)
Day 4: HAVANA
After Breakfast – discover the streets of Havana on your own.
Afternoon 3-hour tour in American 1950s classic car along the Malecon and the splendid 5ta Avenida (5th Avenue) to the diplomatic and residential quarter of Miramar with its beautiful mansions and embassies. Visit “Fusterlandia” a spectacular community project where an entire street is decorated with colourful paintings and ceramics, created by Fuster a most famous Cuba artist.
The return journey passes through the quarter of Vedado with its wide range of architecture from Neoclassic to Neogothic, from Jugendstil to the 1950s, with a stop at Revolution Square and a stroll in the Parque Almendares
Day 5: HAVANA – VINALES
After early Breakfast- check out of hotel, 8:30 am transfer along the “Ruta del Tobaco” with stunning views of Mogote Valley to Vinales.
Take a panoramic tour to the Valle de Vinales with its famous limestone rocks, the “Mogotes”, visit of a tobacco farm to learn more about the entire process from planting the tobacco to producing the world famous cigars.
Lunch in Vinales with panoramic views of the “Finca Agro-ecológica” followed by an afternoon visit to the Mural de la Prehistoria (prehistoric wall) with its 1960’s artwork, then a a boat ride through theLas Cuevas del Indio (underground Indian caves).
Transfer to Hotel Los Jazmines check in for a 1-Night Stay in Junior Suite on B/B basis. Free time. Overnight at Hotel Los Jazmines. (BL)
Day 6: HAVANA – LAS TERRAZAS SIERRA del ROSARIO
After Breakfast – checkout of hotel,transfer to the Biosphere Reserve at Las Terrazas nestled on terraced hills around a man-made lake in the Guaniguanico Mountain Range. Take a panoramic tour of Las Terrazas, a small community and ecological protection project part of the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Sierra del Rosario” since 1985.
Check in at Hotel Moka one of Cuba’s most unique hotels for a 1-Night Stay on B/B basis. Free time.Overnight at Hotel Moka. (B)
Day 7: LAS TERRAZAS – CIENFUEGOS
After Breakfast – check out of hotel, transfer to Cienfuegos, a port town characterized by its French colonial architecture and also known as the “Pearl of the South" or the "City of a Hundred Fires.
A lengthy drive towards central Cuba via the Autopista highway before check in at the Hotel La Union, Cienfuegos for a 1-Night Stay on B/B basis. Free time.Overnight at Hotel La Union (B)
Day 8: CIENFUEGOS– TRINIDAD
After Breakfast – pick up for Walking tour of Cienfuegos over the main square Parque Martí with the nostalgic Terry Theater, where Caruso used to sing. Continue to the half island of Punta Gorda with the "Moorish" Palacio del Valle.
Return to hotel, check out of hotel, transfer along the scenic coast road to Trinidad. Founded in 1514 a UNESCO world cultural heritage site with a unique colonial architecture.
On arrival in Trinidad check in at the Iberostar Grand Hotel for a 3-Night Stay on B/B basis. Free time. Overnight at the Iberostar Grand Hotel. (B)
Day 9: TRINIDAD
After Breakfast – pick up for Walking tour of Trinidad the country`s most perfectly preserved colonial city with its cobblestone lanes and main square surrounded by the mansions of the former sugar barons. In the Romantic Museum at the Palacio Brunet you can see a beautiful collection of colonial furniture and antiques, before visiting the rustic bar “Canchancharra” and tasting the local Honey-Liquor.
Return to hotel. Free afternoonto explore the town, or go to the nearby Playa Ancon for a swim in the pristine Caribbean waters. Overnight at the Iberostar Grand Hotel. (B)
Day 10: TRINIDAD – SANCTI SPIRITUS – SUGAR MILL VALLEY – TRINIDAD
After Breakfast – hotel pick up, transfer to Sancti Spiritus, one of the oldest Cuban European settlements, during a walking tour through the narrow streets you will get an idea of Cuban daily life.
Lunch next to the famous XIX century Yayabo Bridge, before travelling to Sugar Mill Valley. The valley in the Sierra Escambray has one of the most beautiful landscapes in Cuba. Learn about the life of “masters and slaves “in the 19th century at the Iznaga Hacienda and climb up the famous “slave tower “built to control the black workforce.
Return to hotel. Free Time. Overnight at the Iberostar Grand Hotel. (B)
Day 11: TRINIDAD – SANTA CLARA – HAVANA AIRPORT
After Breakfast – check-out of hotel for transfer to Havana airport via the historical city of Santa Clara where Ché Guevara celebrated his biggest victory and was laid to rest. Visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum followed by Lunch at the Finca del Ta.
After lunch, transfer by driver guide to Havana airport. On arrival, check-in for Virgin overnight flight to London Gatwick DEP/TBA (HAV). (BL)
Day 12: LONDON Arrive London Gatwick airportETA/ TBA
Note: Airline carrier final flight times and details confirmed at time of booking. Excursions and sightseeing tour times are subject to local conditions and days might be changed, any changes will be advised by our representatives in Cuba on arrival.
